Honolulu

Honolulu, Hawaii
—  CDP  —
Aerial view of downtown from Honolulu Harbor
Nickname(s): Crossroads of the Pacific, Sheltered Bay
Location in Honolulu County and the state of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii is located in Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Location in Hawaii
Coordinates:
Country  United States
State  Hawaii
County Honolulu
Area
 - CDP 105 sq mi (272.1 km2)
 - Land 85.7 sq mi (222.0 km2)
 - Water 19.3 sq mi (50.1 km2)
Elevation 0 ft (Sea Level 0 m)
Population (2010)
 - CDP 374,701 (50th)
 - Estimate (July 2006[1]) 377,357
 - Metro 909,863
Time zone Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (UTC-10)
Zip Code 96801-96825
Area code(s) 808
FIPS code 15-17000
GNIS feature ID 0366212

Honolulu (English pronunciation: /hɒnɵˈluːluː/) is the capital of and the most populous census-designated place (CDP) in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Although Honolulu refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and the county are consolidated, known as the City and County of Honolulu, and the city and county is designated as the entire island. The City and County of Honolulu is the only incorporated city in Hawaii, as all other local government entities are administered at the county level. The population of the CDP was 371,657 at the 2000 census, while the population of the City and County was 909,863, making it the 57th-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Honolulu is also the most populous state capital relative to state population. In the Hawaiian language, Honolulu means "sheltered bay" or "place of shelter".

Contents

History

View of Honolulu Fort - Interior, c. 1853, painting by Paul Emmert
people in street watching fire in distance
The Great Chinatown Fire

Evidence of the first settlement of Honolulu by the original Polynesian migrants to the archipelago comes from oral histories and artifacts. These indicate that there was a settlement where Honolulu now stands in the 12th century. However, after Kamehameha I conquered Oʻahu in the Battle of Nuʻuanu at Nuʻuanu Pali, he moved his royal court from the Island of Hawaiʻi to Waikīkī in 1804. His court later relocated, in 1809, to what is now downtown Honolulu.

In 1795, Captain William Brown of Great Britain was the first foreigner to sail into what is now Honolulu Harbor. More foreign ships would follow, making the port of Honolulu a focal point for merchant ships traveling between North America and Asia.

Queen Street, Honolulu, 1856, by George Henry Burgess
Upper Fort Street, Honolulu, 1867, by George Henry Burgess

In 1845, Kamehameha III moved the permanent capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from Lahaina on Maui to Honolulu. He and the kings that followed him transformed Honolulu into a modern capital, erecting buildings such as St. Andrew's Cathedral, ʻIolani Palace, and Aliʻiōlani Hale. At the same time, Honolulu became the center of commerce in the Islands, with descendants of American missionaries establishing major businesses in downtown Honolulu.

Despite the turbulent history of the late 19th century and early 20th century, which saw the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, Hawaiʻi's subsequent annexation by the United States in 1898, followed by a large fire in 1900, and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Honolulu would remain the capital, largest city, and main airport and seaport of the Hawaiian Islands.

An economic and tourism boom following statehood brought rapid economic growth to Honolulu and Hawaiʻi. Modern air travel would bring thousands and, as of 2007, 7.6 million visitors annually to the Islands.[2] Of these, about 62.3% in 2007 entered the state at Honolulu International Airport. Today, Honolulu is a modern city with numerous high-rise buildings, and Waikīkī is the center of the tourism industry in Hawaiʻi, with thousands of hotel rooms. The UK consulting firm Mercer, in a 2009 assessment "conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments", ranked Honolulu 29th worldwide in quality of living; the survey factored in political stability, personal freedom, sanitation, crime, housing, the natural environment, recreation, banking facilities, availability of consumer goods, education, and public services including transportation.[3]

Geography

Honolulu is located at (21.308950, -157.826182).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 105.1 sq mi (272 km2). 85.7 sq mi (222 km2) of it is land and 19.4 sq mi (50 km2) of it (18.42%) is water.

The closest location on the mainland to Honolulu is the Point Arena, California Lighthouse, at 2,045 nautical miles (2,353 statute miles) or 3,787 kilometers.[5] (Nautical vessels require some additional distance to circumnavigate Makapu'u Point.) However, part of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska are slightly closer than California.

Climate

Honolulu is in a Tropical wet and dry climate zone (Köppen classification As) with a dry summer season. Nonetheless, its annual precipitation is low, and, depending on the reporting station, it borders on a semi-arid climate (Köppen classification BSh), and the city receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year, averaging 3040 hours.[6] Despite its tropical location, conditions (temperature, precipitation and humidity) are moderated by Hawaii's mid-ocean location.

Temperatures vary little throughout the months, with average high temperatures of 80-89°F (27-32°C) and lows of 65-75°F (19-24°C) throughout the year. Temperatures rarely exceed 90's°F (32°C), with lows in the upper-50's°F (~15°C) occurring once or twice a year. Waters off the coast of Honolulu average 82°F (27°C) in the summer months and 77°F (25°C) in the winter months.[7]

Annual average precipitation is 18.3 inches (460 mm), which mainly occurs during the winter months of October through March, with very little rainfall during the summer. Honolulu has an average of 270 sunny days and 98 wet days a year.[8]

Government

Completed in 1928, Honolulu Hale is the city and county seat

The municipal offices of the City and County of Honolulu, including Honolulu Hale, the seat of the city and county, are located in the census-designated place.[10] The Hawaii state government buildings are also located in the CDP.

The Honolulu District is located on the southeast coast of Oahu between Makapuu and Halawa. The district boundary follows the Koolau crestline, so Makapuu Beach is in the Koolaupoko District. On the west, the district boundary follows Halawa Stream, then crosses Red Hill and runs just west of Aliamanu Crater, so that Aloha Stadium, Pearl Harbor (with the USS Arizona Memorial), and Hickam Air Force Base are actually all located in the island's Ewa District.

The Hawaii Department of Public Safety operates the Oahu Community Correctional Center, the jail for the island of Oahu, in Honolulu CDP.[11]

The United States Postal Service operates post offices in Honolulu CDP. The main Honolulu Post Office is located by the international airport at 3600 Aolele Street.[12] Federal Detention Center, Honolulu, operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is in the CDP.[13]

Diplomatic missions

Several countries have diplomatic facilities in Honolulu CDP in the City and County of Honolulu. The Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu is located at 1742 Nuuanu Avenue.[14] The Consulate-General of South Korea in Honolulu is located at 2756 Pali Highway.[15] The Consulate-General of the Philippines in Honolulu is located at 2433 Pali Highway.[16] The Consulate-General of the Federated States of Micronesia in Honolulu is located in Suite 908 at 3049 Ualena Street.[17] The Consulate-General of Australia in Honolulu is located in the penthouse of 1000 Bishop Street.[18] The Consulate-General of the Marshall Islands in Honolulu is located in Suite 301 at 1888 Lusitana Street.[19]

Cityscape

Panorama of Honolulu's waterfront.

Most of the city's commercial and industrial developments are located on a narrow but relatively flat coastal plain, while numerous ridges and valleys located inland of the coastal plain divide Honolulu's residential areas into distinct neighborhoods: some spread along valley floors (like Manoa in Manoa Valley) and others climb the interfluvial ridges. Within Honolulu proper can be found several volcanic cones: Punchbowl, Diamond Head, Koko Head (includes Hanauma Bay), Koko Crater, Salt Lake, and Aliamanu being the most conspicuous.

Neighborhoods

View of downtown from Punchbowl Crater
Honolulu as seen from the International Space Station
Downtown at Bishop and King streets, with First Hawaiian Center building (left) and Bank of Hawaii (right)

Demographics

State of Hawaii's Capitol building
DFS Galleria in Waikīkī

As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 371,657 people, 140,337 households, and 87,429 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,336.6 people per square mile (1,674.4/km2). There were 158,663 housing units at an average density of 1,851.3/sq mi (714.8/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 19.67% White, 1.62% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 55.85% Asian, 6.85% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races; and 14.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.

There were 140,337 households out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size is 3.23.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.2% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,112, and the median income for a family was $56,311. Males had a median income of $36,631 versus $29,930 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,191. About 7.9% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those 65 and older.

International Market Place, 1958

According to the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, the racial composition of Honolulu was as follows:

Source:[22]

Economy

Go! Mokulele,[23] Hawaiian Airlines,[24] Island Air,[25] and Aloha Air Cargo are headquartered in the CDP.[26][27] Prior to its dissolution, Aloha Airlines was headquartered in the CDP.[28]

Transportation

Honolulu International Airport
Honolulu International Airport reef runway
Aerial view of H-1 (looking east) from Honolulu Airport heading into downtown Honolulu

Air

Located on the western end of the CDP, Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is the principal aviation gateway to the state of Hawaii. Kalaeloa Airport is primarily a commuter facility used by unscheduled air taxis, general aviation and transient and locally-based military aircraft.

Highways

Honolulu has the nation’s second highest metropolitan travel time during peak commute hours, second only to Los Angeles. The following freeways, part of the Interstate Highway System serve Honolulu:

Other major highways that link Honolulu proper with other parts of the Island of Oahu are:

Like most major American cities, the Honolulu metropolitan area experiences heavy traffic congestion during rush hours, especially to and from the western suburbs of Kapolei, Ewa, Aiea, Pearl City, Waipahu, and Mililani.

There is a Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project (HEVDP).[29]

Public transportation

Bus

Established by former Mayor Frank F. Fasi, Honolulu's TheBus system has been twice honored by the American Public Transportation Association bestowing the title of "America's Best Transit System" for 1994–1995 and 2000–2001. TheBus operates 107 routes serving Honolulu and outlying areas on Oahu with a fleet of 531 buses, and is run by the non-profit corporation Oahu Transit Services in conjunction with the city Department of Transportation Services. Honolulu is ranked 4th for highest per-capita use of mass transit in the United States.[30]

Rail

Currently, there is no urban rail transit system in Honolulu, although electric street railways were used in Honolulu prior to World War II. The government of the City and County of Honolulu is currently planning a 20-mile (32 km) transit line that will connect Honolulu with outlying suburban areas to the west of the city on the southern part of Oʻahu. The Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project is aimed at alleviating traffic congestion for Leeward Oʻahu commuters, but has been criticized for its cost and environmental impacts (including the likelihood of disturbing Native Hawaiian burials and the visual impact of the fully-elevated line.)

Cultural institutions

With symbolic native-styled architectural features, First Hawaiian Center is the tallest building in Hawaii and home to a Contemporary Museum gallery

Performing arts

Established in 1900, the Honolulu Symphony is the oldest US symphony orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. Other classical music ensembles include the Hawaii Opera Theatre. Honolulu is also a center for Hawaiian music. The main music venues include the Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall, the Waikiki Shell, and the Hawaii Theatre.

Honolulu also includes several venues for live theater, including the Diamond Head Theatre.

Visual arts

There are various institutions for the visual arts. The Honolulu Academy of Arts is endowed with the largest collection of Asian and Western art in Hawaii. It also has the largest collection of Islamic art, housed at the Shangri La estate. The academy hosts a film and video program dedicated to arthouse and world cinema in the museum's Doris Duke Theatre, named for the academy's historic patroness Doris Duke.

The Contemporary Museum is the only contemporary art museum in the state. It has two locations: main campus in Makiki and a multi-level gallery in downtown Honolulu at the First Hawaiian Center.

The Hawaii State Art Museum (also downtown) boasts pieces by local artists as well as traditional Hawaiian art. The museum is administered by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Natural museums

The Bishop Museum is the largest of Honolulu's museums. It is endowed with the state's largest collection of natural history specimens and the world's largest collection of Hawaiiana and Pacific culture artifacts. The Honolulu Zoo is the main zoological institution in Hawaii while the Waikiki Aquarium is a working marine biology laboratory. The Waikiki Aquarium is partnered with the University of Hawaii and other universities worldwide. Established for appreciation and botany, Honolulu is home to several gardens: Foster Botanical Garden, Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden, Walker Estate, among others.

Sports

Honolulu's climate lends itself to year-round activities. In 2004, Men's Fitness magazine named Honolulu the fittest city in the United States.[31] Honolulu has three large road races:

Ironman Hawaii was first held in Honolulu, it was the first ever Ironman and is also the World Champs.

Fans of spectator sports in Honolulu generally support the football, volleyball, basketball, and baseball programs of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. High school sporting events, especially football, are especially popular.

Honolulu has no professional sports teams. It was the home of the Hawaii Islanders (Pacific Coast League, 1961–1987), The Hawaiians (World Football League, 1974–1975), Team Hawaii (North American Soccer League, 1977), and the Hawaiian Islanders (af2, 2002–2004).

The NCAA football Hawaii Bowl is played in Honolulu. Honolulu has also hosted the NFL's annual Pro Bowl each February since 1980, though the 2010 Pro Bowl was played in Miami.[32] From 1993 to 2008, Honolulu hosted Hawaii Winter Baseball, featuring minor league players from Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, Korea Baseball Organization, and independent leagues.

Venues

Venues for spectator sports in Honolulu include:

Aloha Stadium, a venue for American football and soccer (football), is located in the Halawa CDP.[33]

Media

Honolulu is served by one daily newspaper (the Honolulu Star-Advertiser), Honolulu Magazine, several radio stations and television stations, among other media.

Tourist attractions

See also Oahu tourist attractions
See also Sites related to President Obama in Honolulu
  • Ala Moana
  • Aloha Tower
  • Bishop Museum
  • Diamond Head
  • Hanauma Bay
  • Honolulu Academy of Arts
  • ʻIolani Palace
  • Lyon Arboretum
  • National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
  • USS Arizona Memorial
  • Waikiki Aquarium
  • Waikiki Beach

Education

Colleges and universities

See also List of colleges and universities in Hawaii

Colleges and universities in the Honolulu CDP include Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Chaminade University, and Hawaii Pacific University.[27]

Public primary and secondary schools

Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools in Honolulu. Public high schools within the CDP include Wallace Rider Farrington, Kaiser, Kaimuki, Kalani, Kapolei, Moanalua, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt.[27]

Private primary and scondary schools

Private schools include Maryknoll School, Saint Louis School, Hawaii Baptist Academy, Iolani School, Kamehameha Schools, Mid-Pacific Institute, and Punahou School.

Public libraries

Hawaii State Public Library System operates public libraries. The Hawaii State Library in the CDP serves as the main library of the system,[34] while the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, also in the CDP, serves handicapped and blind people.[35]

Branches in the CDP include Aina Haina,[36] Hawaii Kai,[37] Kaimuki,[38] Kalihi-Palama,[39] Manoa,[40] McCully,[41] Salt Lake-Moanalua,[42] and Waikiki.[43]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Quickfacts.census.gov
  2. ↑ "2007 Annual Visitor Research Report". Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, State of Hawaii. 1 July 2008. http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/visitor-stats/visitor-research/2007-annual-research.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  3. ↑ "Quality of Living global city rankings 2009 – Mercer survey". Mercer. 28 April 2009. http://www.mercer.com/referencecontent.htm?idContent=1173105. Retrieved 2009-05-08. 
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  5. ↑ Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 Software, Copyright 2006 by Microsoft Corp. et al. Kilometers converted to nautical and statute miles by figures given in The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2007, Copyright World Alamnac Education Group, p.350-353
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Climatological Normals of Honolulu". Hong Kong Observatory. http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/australia/pacific/honolulu_e.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-12. 
  7. ↑ Weather.com
  8. ↑ Weatherbase.com
  9. ↑ "NCDC: U.S. Climate Normals". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20/hi/511919.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  10. ↑ Honolulu.gov
  11. ↑ "Oahu Community Correctional Center." Hawaii Department of Public Safety. Retrieved on May 19, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Post Office Location - Honolulu." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 21, 2009.
  13. ↑ "FDC Honolulu Contact Information." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on December 30, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Visa & Travel." Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu. Accessed August 17, 2008.
  15. ↑ "Location." Consulate-General of South Korea in Honolulu. Retrieved on January 10, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Other Philippine Missions in the U.S.." Consulate-General of the Philippines in Chicago. Retrieved on January 10, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Embassies, Consulates, and Missions." Department of Foreign Affairs (Federated States of Micronesia). Retrieved on January 10, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Australian Consulate-General in Honolulu, United States of America." Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved on January 10, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Foreign Mission." Republic of the Marshall Islands. Retrieved on January 28, 2009.
  20. ↑ Artsdistricthonolulu.com
  21. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  22. ↑ factfinder.census.gov
  23. ↑ "Contact Us." Mesa Air Group. Retrieved on February 23, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Corporate Headquarters." Hawaiian Airlines. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.
  25. ↑ "Contact Information." Island Air. Retrieved on May 20, 2009.
  26. ↑ "Locations." Aloha Air Cargo. Retrieved on May 21, 2009.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 "Honolulu CDP, HI." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 21, 2009.
  28. ↑ "Aloha Airlines, Inc." BusinessWeek. Retrieved on May 21, 2009.
  29. ↑ "Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies". High Technology Development Corporation. http://www.htdc.org/programsservices/hcatt.html. Retrieved 2009-11-13. 
  30. ↑ National Transit Database, Top Transit Cities (2006)
  31. ↑ Pacific.bizjournals.com
  32. ↑ Arnett, Paul; Reardon, Dave (December 30, 2008). "Miami tackles Pro Bowl". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081230_Miami_tackles_Pro_Bowl.html?page=all&c=y. Retrieved 2008-12-30. 
  33. ↑ "Halawa CDP, Hawaii." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 21, 2009.
  34. ↑ "Hawaii State Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  35. ↑ "Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  36. ↑ "Aina Haina public Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  37. ↑ "Hawaii Kai Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  38. ↑ "Kaimuki Public Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  39. ↑ "Kalihi-Palama Public Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  40. ↑ "Manoa Public Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  41. ↑ "McCully Public Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  42. ↑ "Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  43. ↑ "Waikiki Public Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.

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